Best Practices & Outcomes
CHS understands the importance of keeping abreast of current trends in child care and development and early learning research, and recognizes the importance of applying that research to our programs and agency operations. Learn more about our Best Practices & Outcomes Department and how we continually strive to improve the services we provide.
The Best Practices & Outcomes Department ensures that we are upholding our values and utilizing our valuable resources in the best and most prudent manner for the families we serve and the agency overall. In addition, the department identifies research-based best practices, standards, and trends; develops tools and measures to demonstrate how the agency is progressing toward identified outcomes; assesses the impact and effectiveness of our services based on these findings; and recommends how we can strengthen our efforts. This department not only improves the quality of our services to children and families, but also assists in recruiting volunteers, motivating donors, strengthening the Government and Community Relations Department, and developing and diversifying our services.
CHS uses the Strengthening Families Approach developed by the Center for the Study of Social Policy in program development and improvement. The Strengthening Families Approach aims to increase families’ strengths and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect by promoting the development of the Five Protective Factors.
There is strong evidence that when families demonstrate competence in these five areas, the chances of child abuse and neglect decrease and the likelihood of developing a healthy and supportive environment for optimal child development emerges. Most of the gaps in ability between advantaged and disadvantaged children at age 12 are present as early as age 6, indicating that the earlier we are able to intervene in a child’s life the better the outcome will be. Early interventions are more effective in leveling the playing field among disadvantaged children than are later interventions, such as investments in after school programs or remedial education.
At CHS, we use the Strengthening Families Approach to build the Five Protective Factors amongst the families we serve. We believe that all families are unique and possess inherent strengths; our programs and services are designed to tap into those strengths. For example, through our Resource and Referral program, CHS helps link families to vital resources and opportunities to facilitate growth. In our Child Care Payment Programs, we recognize and support parents as the primary decision-makers when it comes to choosing a child care provider for their children. We offer referrals for potential child care providers and programs, but allow the parent to make the final decision in what is best for their child and family. CHS also provides fun activities and ideas for parents and child care providers to implement with their children to promote healthy development. Our Family Education Program offers free educational brochures and workshops to help parents learn how to support and foster their children’s development and strengthen their skills and confidence as parents.
For more information on the Strengthening Families Approach and the Five Protective Factors, please visit National Family Support Network.